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transgender-bill-challenger-dismayed-by-smiths-openness-to-notwithstanding-clause
CanadaDec 17, 2024

Transgender bill challenger dismayed by Smith's openness to notwithstanding clause

A lawyer challenging a new Alberta law affecting transgender youth says he is dismayed by Premier Danielle Smith's intention to use the notwithstanding clause if required. The new law bans doctors from providing gender-affirming treatment such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for those under 16, and prohibits gender-affirming ``top'' surgeries for minors. For months Smith has dismissed the notwithstanding clause question as moot given she believes the new restrictions would withstand a legal challenge. But on her Saturday radio show Smith confirmed she would invoke the notwithstanding
chrystia-freeland-resigns-as-finance-minister
CanadaDec 16, 2024

Chrystia Freeland Resigns as Finance Minister

Chrystia Freeland resigned from her position as Finance Minister on Monday, sharing her resignation letter addressed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on social media. In the letter, Freeland expressed pride in her work for Canada but explained her decision to step down after Trudeau indicated he no longer wanted her as Finance Minister and offered her a different Cabinet role. Freeland stated that a minister must have the Prime Minister's full confidence, which she felt she no longer possessed. She highlighted key disagreements with Trudeau over handling U.S. economic nationalism and potential
ndp-leader-jagmeet-singh-demands-trudeaus-resignation
CanadaDec 16, 2024

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh Demands Trudeau's Resignation

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has called for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation. Speaking in the House of Commons, Singh stated that Canadians are struggling to afford basic necessities like groceries and are increasingly unable to purchase homes. Singh criticized Trudeau for being preoccupied with personal matters while Canada faces significant challenges, including threats to thousands of jobs from U.S. policies. Singh posed the question: "Will the Prime Minister step down?" This marks the first time Jagmeet Singh has directly demanded Trudeau's resignation in the House of Commons. Me
poilievres-wife-targets-trudeau-over-freelands-resignation
CanadaDec 16, 2024

Poilievre's Wife Targets Trudeau Over Freeland's Resignation

Anaida Poilievre, the wife of Canada's Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, has launched a strong criticism of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau following the resignation of Chrystia Freeland. Anaida accused Trudeau of failing to take responsibility for his government's shortcomings and claimed he sacrificed Freeland’s position to replace her with a man. She argued that positions should be filled based on merit, not gender, race, or other factors. However, she accused Trudeau of hypocrisy, stating that a leader who frequently lectures the world on equality should be called out for his ac
sean-fraser-announces-he-will-not-contest-next-federal-election
CanadaDec 16, 2024

Sean Fraser Announces He Will Not Contest Next Federal Election

Former Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced today in Ottawa that he will not contest the next federal election. Fraser explained that his role in federal politics had made it difficult for him to spend enough time with his family. He also mentioned that he had already informed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of his decision. Notably, Fraser is the sixth minister in the Trudeau cabinet to announce that they will not seek re-election. Fraser has represented the Central Nova riding of Nova Scotia in the House of Commons since 2015, the year the Trudeau government first came to power.
chrystia-freeland-quits-cabinet-the-day-of-fall-economic-statement
CanadaDec 16, 2024

Chrystia Freeland quits cabinet the day of fall economic statement

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned from the Liberal cabinet on Monday, posting her resignation letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on social media. Here is the letter:"Dear Prime Minister,It has been the honour of my life to serve in government, working for Canada and Canadians. We have accomplished a lot together.On Friday, you told me you no longer want me to serve as your Finance Minister and offered me another position in the Cabinet.Upon reflection, I have concluded that the only honest and viable path is for me to resign from the Cabinet.To be effective, a Minister must spea
canada-post-operations-to-resume-tuesday-company
CanadaDec 16, 2024

Canada Post operations to resume Tuesday: company

Mail will begin moving again on Tuesday as Canada Post employees return to work for the first time in more than a month after the federal government pushed to end the stoppage. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order the 55,000 picketing employees back to work within days if the tribunal determines a deal isn't doable before the end of the year. Canada Post said Sunday night that after two days of hearings over the weekend, an impasse was declared. It says union members have been ordered back to work under their existing contract, which has bee
alberta-premier-smith-willing-to-use-the-notwithstanding-clause-on-trans-health-bill
CanadaDec 16, 2024

Alberta Premier Smith willing to use the notwithstanding clause on trans health bill

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says using the notwithstanding clause to shield her government's transgender health restrictions is on the table as a ``last resort.'' A provincial law will ban doctors from providing gender-affirming treatment such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for those under 16 and halt gender-affirming ``top'' surgeries for minors. On her radio call-in show this weekend, Smith says she's willing to invoke the notwithstanding clause, a measure that allows governments to override certain Charter rights for up to five years. Smith says she doesn't want to take the ste
canada-to-end-30-stake-limit-for-pension-fund-investments
CanadaDec 13, 2024

Canada to End 30% Stake Limit for Pension Fund Investments

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government plans to end the rule limiting pension fund holdings in Canadian institutions to 30% as part of a broader strategy to boost domestic investment. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced on Friday that the limit will be removed in the mini-budget to be presented on Monday. This change would enable the Canada Pension Plan to make larger investments in Canadian institutions, which collectively hold over $3 trillion in assets. The government also intends to permit pension funds to take larger ownership stakes in municipally owned utility corporati

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donald-trump-unveils-new-gold-card-immigration-program
WorldDec 11, 2025

Donald Trump unveils new ‘Gold Card’ immigration program

Former United States president Donald Trump announced on Thursday the launch of a new immigration initiative he calls the Gold Card, opening the application process for the program. Under the plan, individuals can apply for the Gold Card at a fee of US$1 million, while companies wishing to secure a card for executives or employees would pay US$2 million. Trump’s campaign says cardholders would receive a U.S. passport, full voting rights and the same benefits enjoyed by other American citizens. Trump framed the Gold Card as part of his broader “America First” policy agenda, asserting the
flooding-prompts-wider-evacuations-and-highway-closures-across-southern-b-c
BCDec 11, 2025

Flooding prompts wider evacuations and highway closures across southern B.C.

Communities across southern British Columbia are facing new evacuation orders and travel disruptions after heavy rainfall triggered flooding and landslides that severed key routes between the Lower Mainland and the Interior. Provincial officials say multiple highways, including the Coquihalla and Highways 1, 3, 5 and 11, remain shut as crews assess washouts and unstable slopes. The closure of Highway 11 has also halted access to the Sumas border crossing. In Abbotsford, 371 properties on the Sumas Prairie were ordered evacuated overnight as waters linked to the overflowing Nooksack River conti
cra-plans-major-hiring-push-to-boost-call-centre-capacity-ahead-of-tax-season
CanadaDec 11, 2025

CRA plans major hiring push to boost call centre capacity ahead of tax season

The Canada Revenue Agency says it plans to bring on roughly 1,700 additional call centre staff in the coming months as it prepares for a surge in taxpayer inquiries during the upcoming filing season. Agency officials say the goal is to expand the workforce to about 4,500 agents, citing internal forecasts that anticipate heavy call volumes. Melanie Serjak, an assistant commissioner with the CRA, told reporters that it is routine for the agency to scale up its operations for tax season, when daily call volumes can exceed 300,000. She said last year’s peak staffing level reached about 3,300 age
house-of-commons-prepares-to-adjourn-for-six-week-winter-break-as-key-bills-remain-unfinished
CanadaDec 11, 2025

House of Commons prepares to adjourn for six-week winter break as key bills remain unfinished

Members of Parliament are expected to wrap up the fall sitting as early as Thursday, ending the session ahead of the scheduled Friday adjournment and beginning a six-week winter break. MPs are due to return to the House on January 26, leaving several major pieces of government legislation still awaiting final approval. Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon said the minority Liberal government considers the fall session productive, noting progress on budget and public-safety bills that have not yet cleared Parliament. This sitting was the first full session under Prime Minister Mark Carney,
BCDec 11, 2025

Two Maple Ridge residents sentenced to five years for 2023 killing of Surinderjit Singh

Two people have been sentenced to five years in prison for the 2023 killing of Maple Ridge resident Surinderjit “Jack” Singh. The case, which involved extensive work by homicide investigators and local RCMP, concluded last week with a pair of manslaughter convictions. Police were called to the 21800 block of 122 Avenue on the morning of March 4, 2023, where officers found the 55-year-old victim deceased at the scene. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team took charge of the file, working with Ridge Meadows RCMP, forensic specialists, and the BC Coroners Service. Investigators later ide